Education Minister, John O’Dowd.
By Gareth McKeown
IN ITS FIRST official decision the Interim Board of Governors of the new Portora and Collegiate amalgamated school has written to the Education Minister asking that the date of amalgamation be deferred to September 2016.
At the landmark first meeting of the new board, held on April 22 in the Killyhevlin Hotel plans were put in motion to move towards the new school, including a newsletter to be distributed to all staff and pupils of both schools.
The creation of the board follows on from Education Minister John O’Dowd’s decision to approve Development Proposals 260, 261 and 262 for the amalgamation of Portora and Collegiate and the establishment of a new co-educational 11 – 18 non-denominational voluntary school in Enniskillen.
At the meeting the first decision made was to write to the Minister for Education, pictured right, to request that the date of the amalgamation ‘be deferred to 1 September 2016, or as soon as possible thereafter’. This request has been forwarded to the Minister for consideration. The new school is set to come into effect on 1 September, 2015.
The Fermanagh Protestant Board of Education, who are the Trustees of the newly amalgamated school also sought six nominations, from the respective Board of Governors of Collegiate and Portora .
At the meeting of Interim Board two co-chairmans were elected: Peter Little representing Portora and Aubrey Murray representing the Collegiate. Representing Enniskillen Collegiate on the board are; Jennifer Beattie, Florence Brunt, Olive Connor, Carole Graham and Diane Stevenson. The representatives from Portora are; Marshall Coulter, Margaret Cooper, Scott Fallis, Barbara Johnston and Neville McClements.
A statement from the Interim Board of Governors released to the Herald confirmed further work to be undertaken.
“The Co-chairs, along with the other members of the board, will appoint a principal designate, establish staffing structures, put in place the operational arrangements for an amalgamation and, most importantly, ensure suitable curricular provision for all pupils.
“With the needs of pupils being paramount, the Interim Board of Governors (IBOG) has decided that the issue of a common Entrance Test be agreed for the new school as soon as possible. As a result, a Sub-Group of the IBOG will consider and agree a common Entrance Test for the September 2016 cohort of pupils. The IBOG will consider the common Entrance Test and other admissions criteria having regard to Department of Education guidance.”
“The IBOG is aware that communication with staff, pupils, parents and the wider community is vital to ensure openness and transparency and so it will be issuing a Newsletter for distribution to all staff and pupils and also making it available on the websites of both schools.
“Over the next 16 months, the IBOG will be working to progress the amalgamation and will continually provide updates to all stakeholders on the strategic decisions being undertaken.”
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